Don't shut social media during elections - Aning tells police

Dr Emmanuel Kwesi Aning, the head of the department of research at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra, has opposed plans by the police service to block access to social media sites on election day.

IGP (COP) John Kudalor

He said the police should rather sensitise people to the dangers of abusing social media platforms during the period, according to a report by starrfmonline.com.

Stressing that unrestricted access to social media strengthens the country’s democracy, Dr Aning called for a conversation on how social media users could use the platforms responsibly on that day.

“Let’s talk to people about the need for caution on that day and let us test how sensible we can all be and therefore let’s keep social media open,” he said.

The Inspector General of Police John Kudalor stated on Thursday that the service was considering shutting down social media services during the November 7 general elections.

The move, he said, was to prevent social media platforms from being used to create tension during the elections.

“At one stage I said that if it becomes critical on the eve and also on the Election Day, we shall block all social media as other countries have done. We’re thinking about it,” he said.

“We are also thinking about the other alternative that the police should be IT compliant and get our own social media [account] to be able to stop these things on time,” he added.